Answer: the number of steps is463 to arrive at the lantern at the top (sorry, no elevator!).

While walking up, you stop off at two balconies where you walk along the inside of the dome looking down at the Florence cathedral from above, standing right next to the painted frescoes.

The history of the dome ceiling and its frescoed murals goes back to 1568 when Vasari started working on the painting of ‘Universal Judgement’ (sometimes called the 'Last Judgement'), over 100 years after the cupola was completed.

The cupola climb is also the best part of the Florence Duomo complex for kids to visit: the walk up the very narrow curvy stone stairwell is a real adventure that children really get into!

The Baptistery

Famous for its bronze doors not everyone knows that there are three sets of doors adorning the Florence Duomo Baptistery.

The oldest 'porte' go back to the 1300's and were made by Andrea Pisano, followed by Ghiberti's first set of bronze doors and later the heralded ‘Gates of Paradise’, also by Ghiberti both in the 1400's.

The 'Gates of Paradise' that you see on the baptistery are replicas, whereas the original Ghiberti doors - now back to their golden shine after a 27 year cleaning process – can be seen at the Opera del Duomo Museum.

These reproductions however are a faithful and excellent replica of the ‘real thing’ and have one advantage over the originals: you can see and photograph them up close while the restored ‘Gates of Paradise’ in the museum are in a protective glass casing.

The museum location is where you will find the largest gift shop of the Florence Duomo complex, which is at the museum entrance.

There is also a small souvenir shop at the Bell Tower entrance and another at the entry of the crypt of Santa Reparata (in the church).

Opening hours

general: 9:00 - 7:30

Sunday: 9:00 - 1:45

closed: Christmas, New Year’s Day, Epiphany

Note: due to enlargement works much of the museum is off-limits. Open exhibits include Michelangelo’s Pietà, Ghiberti’s Gates of Paradise, and the Porta della Mandorla room.

Entry permitted up to 40 minutes before closing time.

address: Piazza del Duomo 9

Giotto's Bell Tower ('campanile')

The Florence Duomo Bell Tower has 7 bells, each sounding a different note!

The tower was designed and started by Giotto in 1334 and is one of the most admired landmarks of Florence.

The campanile is decorated with white, green and pink marble - like the cathedral - and has three storeys decorated with tiles, reliefs and sculptures by the renaissance greats such as Pisano, Donatello and della Robbia.

A climb to the top of the bell tower (number of steps:414 - no elevator) is one of the favorite things to do in Florence for great views over the city.

People often ask, ‘Which is better, the climb up the Florence bell tower or up Brunelleschi’s dome?’

Well....they are different.

The advantage of the tower climb is that you get to see the Dome as part of the great views of the city.

Whereas the advantage of the Dome climb is seeing the architectural marvel from the inside.

If I had to chose I’d say the cupola climb is slightly more exciting as you see the dome construction from between the two shells, something very unique.

However, for anyone who suffers from heights, the bell tower is more protected.

The Florence Duomo bell tower climb is another fun activity for kids to do in Florence - it's totally safe and children see it as a real adventure!